Ogdensburg residents respond well to new STAR program requirements

An overwhelming majority of eligible households in Ogdensburg registered for the states School Tax Relief program, according to a report from the state Department of Taxation and Finance.

As of the beginning of February, 92 percent of eligible homes had signed up, slightly above St. Lawrence Countys 91 percent registration rate.

Ogdensburg Assessor C. Bruce Green said the average household in the city that registers for STAR will save about $750 per year on their school taxes in the program.

Homeowners who make less than $500,000 a year are eligible.

Mr. Green said 1,777 homes in the city are eligible for the program and 1,659 had registered as of mid-February.

To register, homeowners should log onto www.tax.ny.gov or call (518)457-2036.

Mr. Green said the program cuts $30,000 off the assessed value of homes when school taxes are calculated, which can in some cases save people a significant amount of money.

City residents have until April 1 to register, Mr. Green said.

In past years, residents have been able to register with their local assessor to receive STAR benefits, but a recent change to the program requires homeowners to sign up directly with the state, Mr. Green said.

If youre a brand new [applicant] you still have to apply with the local assessors office, Mr. Green said. Then you register with the state the next time around.

For comparison, Mr. Green said 90 percent of eligible homeowners have so far registered in Canton, Gouverneur and Massena, while 93 percent have registered in Potsdam.

Residents can contact the assessors office at 393-4030 for more information.

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